Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

RALEIGH – Federal charges were brought today (Thursday) against a Lewiston Woodville man, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Dominique Javon Thompson, 34, appeared in federal court for his initial appearance. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison if convicted.

According to information presented in the criminal complaint, Thompson fired at Bertie County deputies who were responding to a call on Friday, May 16 regarding an armed individual at a residence in the 100 block of Weeping Mary Road near Lewiston Woodville.

The complaint alleges that when deputies arrived, Thompson opened fire at their patrol vehicles. Neither the deputies nor the K-9 deputy were struck by the gunfire, although their vehicles were hit multiple times.

Thompson then fled in a Hyundai Elantra. Deputies received information that Thompson had family in the Kinston area, and the Kinston Police Department found the Elantra abandoned on the side of the road around 9 am the same morning. Kinston Police later found Thompson in another vehicle car during a traffic stop. Upon approaching the car, the officer found Thompson in the back seat and took him into custody. A firearm was found in the glovebox, which matched the description of the one used in the shooting in Bertie County.

“We will work quickly and tirelessly to investigate anyone who tries to inflict violence against our law enforcement partners and break federal laws, as alleged in the complaint,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar stated today. “I’m proud of the investigative response provided by our federal and state partners in this case.”

“Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the defendant was taken into custody without incident,” Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone M. Ruffin stated today. “Law enforcement officers dedicate themselves to public service and we leave home daily not knowing if we will return. We are thankful for the partnerships of our local, state, and federal resources.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, State Highway Patrol, Windsor Police Department, Williamston Police Department, and Kinston Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart is prosecuting the case.